The M27 was shut for hours after a woman plunged from a bridge and hit two vehicles last night.

The road was reopened at about 1am this morning and an investigation into the incident will continue today.

Police have now confirmed that the woman, who is believed to be a 74-year-old from Southampton, died at the scene.

Police say they believe she was struck by two vehicles are falling from the bridge, and she was declared dead at the scene.

Her next of kin have been informed but formal identification is yet to take place.

A post mortem examination is also set to take place.

The westbound carriageway was closed at junction 3 Nursling following the incident, which happened at about 6pm.

South Central Ambulance Service medics rushed to the scene in two ambulances and a rapid response vehicle.

A spokesman said nine people had been taken to Southampton General Hospital for treatment for shock.

It is thought they had all been travelling along the motorway at the time of the incident.

Matt Wellings, 21, was travelling from Milton Keynes to Bournemouth and has been sat in gridlocked traffic for more than an hour.

He said: “It has just been constant the emergency services that have gone past.”

“There are about seven or eight cars involved – it looks like there has been an accident as well as something else happening.

“There are about three or four cars in the middle lane stationary and another two or three on the hard shoulder.

“There are loads of undercover police cars and highways agencies have just turned up.”

Another motorist said: "I hit delays on the M27 and I must have seen at least eight police cars at the scene next to a bridge.

"Motorists cut off their engines as traffic barely moved - there was a large screen that was at least 50 metres long."

A police statement advised motorists to avoid the area.

The road was initially closed at junction 5 Southampton Airport but this section was reopened earlier.

Anyone with information can contact Hampshire Police on 101, and ask for the Western Roads Policing Unit, quoting Operation Wand.